Kelly Luegenbiehl to leave Netflix, Jinny Howe adds franchise series to remit

Jinny Howe (left) and Kelly Luegenbiehl

UK-based Kelly Luegenbiehl is leaving her role as VP of franchise and spectacle series at Netflix after more than eight years with the streaming giant.

With her departure, Netflix’s LA-based head of drama Jinny Howe will see her remit expand to include oversight of spectacle and event series, in addition to current series, overall deals and licensed content.

The moves, which were first reported by Deadline, are part of an executive restructure under Netflix’s VP, head of scripted series for the US and Canada, Peter Friedlander.

Under the new structure, Howe and VP of comedy Tracey Pakosta will report directly to Friedlander.

Luegenbiehl joined Netflix in 2015 as director of international originals and was promoted on several occasions before being named VP of franchise and spectacle series in late 2020.

During her time at the streamer, Luegenbiehl was based in LA, then Amsterdam and finally the UK, playing a key role in the expansion of its local-language originals strategy in Europe. Before Netflix, she was the VP of comedy and international at ABC Entertainment in California.

Howe, meanwhile, joined Netflix in 2018 after working at John Wells Productions as executive VP and head of television.

“Kelly’s an incredible colleague and has had a tremendous impact in her eight-plus years at Netflix, including building the foundation for our local-language originals and launching hit series such as Dark, Lupin, Sacred Games, Elite and The Witcher,” said Friedlander.